Man sentenced for theft of government property
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
A McDonald man was sentenced Monday in federal court to three years probation and $14,164 in restitution on his conviction of theft of government
property and making a false statement.
Chief U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Richard A.Ward, 42, of 111 Orchard St.
According to the information presented to the court, Ward, while a VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System employee, submitted to the VA a fictitious special order drawn on the
authority of the Department of the Air Force, Pennsylvania Air National Guard 171st Air Refueling Wing. The false special order indicated that Ward, who is also a Pennsylvania Air National Guardsman, was deployed for active duty.
The VA placed Ward in a special pay status for VA employees who are activated for military duty. The pay and benefits wrongfully obtained by Ward
equaled approximately $14,164.
Prior to sentencing, the Court took into consideration Ward’s lack of criminal history and his early acceptance of responsibility.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.